India is clearly taking fashion and beauty centre-stage this season, especially with Chanel’s Bombay Express summer 2012 makeup collection, which is based on the couture house’s pre-fall catwalk collection. Inspired by the sights and delights of Indian festivals, the makeup is replete with the mesmerising beauty of gold and charcoal pigments that are perfect for adding a seductive glow to all skin tones. Prepare to make heads turn!

Poudre Compacte in Route des Indes de Chanel

This is the show stopper – a shimmering, lightweight powder that features fine light-reflecting pigments to create a ‘halo-like’ glow and give the complexion a fabulously flawless finish. It can be used over makeup or on bare skin and goes on super-easily with the help of a fluffy brush. I will clearly have to buy two of these: one to use, another to store as the paisley pattern is just too gorgeous to spoil!

Le Vernis in Diwali

This metallic gold nail polish, which Peter Philips (Chanel’s Creative Director of Makeup), describes as “a homage to the celebration of light that takes place in India”, is luminously glossy, making it the perfect choice for glam summer evenings. As an added bonus, the innovative formula not only promises a rich, long lasting colour but also strengthens and moisturises the nails with every application.

Illusion d’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Nirvana

Sultry, kohl-rimmed eyes have long been a staple of Indian makeup and Peter Philips gives them a modern touch with an intensely pigmented, super-shimmering gel-textured eye shadow titled Nirvana. A little bit of the long lasting charcoal black shade will go a long, long way so start off with a gentle touch, building up the intensity as you go along. For a subtle look, use it to line the eyes; for more drama, cover the entire eyelid.

Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Brume d’Or

This dusty pink blush is flecked with very fine gold luminescence to create a youthful vibe. It has a silky texture and offers buildable coverage, making it perfect for every mood – right from natural to dramatic.

Rouge Coco Shine in Empreinte

A look with such dramatic eyes needs a nude lipstick – and Peter Philips comes through with Empreinte, which gives a natural pink-hued shine that complements all skin tones.

Though we will have to wait till June 2012 for Chanel’s Paris-Bombay Metier D’Art Show collection to hit the shelves, last week’s pre-fall show offered up a high-wattage glimpse at the goodies to come. Peter Philips, Global Creative Director of Chanel Makeup, brought out several of the Indian-inspired products to dress up the models for the show.

And what a show it was – especially the dramatic eyes that form the cornerstone of a traditional Indian look! Philips created the classic-with-a-contemporary twist statement look by circling the eyes with the black-brown Illusion d’Ombre Long-Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Nirvana and then merging it into a thick triangle at the outer corners. He further amped up the effect with generous helpings of the Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Ebene and layering it with Le Crayon Khôl in Black on top. The lashes were played up with the Mascara Inimitable Intense in Black.

In keeping with the Indian penchant for creamy complexions and a touch of bling, Philips also added golden highlights on the cheeks and eyes using Route des Indes de Chanel – a limited edition palette that he created especially for the show.

And as for the Chanel Le Vernis fans, this was the debut of the Le Vernis Nail Colour in Diwali – a light golden shade “inspired by the famous ‘festival of lights’ that takes place in India”.

Karl Lagerfeld’s use of “Bombay” rather than the contemporary “Mumbai” is deliberate as his India “is of an era where the glamour is imperial, rather than Bollywood.”